Physics
Scientific paper
Oct 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011epsc.conf..665p&link_type=abstract
EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2011, held 2-7 October 2011 in Nantes, France. http://meetings.copernicus.org/epsc-dps2011, p.665
Physics
Scientific paper
A giant impact origin of Pluto's large satellite Charon leaves Pluto initially spinning rapidly and Charon in a close, eccentric orbit[1]. With coefficients J2 and C22 in the gravitational fields of both bodies included, we follow the evolution of the system with tidal models that demonstrate spin-orbit resonance capture and escape and damped librations while conserving angular momentum. We use these tidal evolution models to investigate the conjecture that the small satellites, Nix and Hydra, were formed simultaneously with Charon and were pushed to their current positions while locked in 4:1 and 6:1 mean motion resonances with Charon. We demonstrate that a new phenomenon of simultaneous capture of a test particle into several resonances at each of the 5:1, 6:1 and 7:1 commensurabilities allows the stable expansion of the test particle orbits but not at the 4:1. This latter failure and the fact that conditions necessary for simultaneous captures will not prevail destroys this means of stable orbit expansion. With plausible values of J2, C22 and finite masses for Nix and Hydra, there were no stable expansions for more than a million sets of initial conditions. Nix and Hydra cannot have their orbits expanded through resonant transport. The New Horizons mission may constrain an alternative origin.
Cheng W. H.
Lee Michael H.
Peale Stanton J.
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